Diagnosing Need For Tracheostomy

“Airway management is an important priority for any critically ill patient”. (John, 2004, Pg. 93). Tracheostomy tube is a surgical procedure that creates stoma in the trachea to provide an open airway. (Brunner & Siddharth, 2010).In this procedure, a tracheostomy tube is placed in the anterior wall of the trachea, below the cricoids cartilage. (Russel, 2005, pg429). Indications for a tracheostomy include upper airway obstruction; infection, malignancy, foreign body or vocal cord palsy, respiratory insufficiency and poor coughing in advanced lung disease, prolonged artificial ventilation for more than 10-14 days and impaired swallow with risk of aspiration. ( Russel, 2005). Tracheostomy could be either temporary or permanent. In other to provide safe nursing care, nurses should have certain skills and knowledge for instance important of humidification, suctioning technique, respiratory assessment and emergency management in case of dislodgement. (Russel, 2005, pg 428). This essay will be based on the case study of Mrs. Jackson who has got a tracheostomy tube in situ. It will mainly focus on the care plan of Mrs. Jackson with a tracheostomy tube including four nursing diagnosis, and prioritised nursing care.

Priorities of care: Assess the patient’s respiratory status; respiratory rate and depth, O2 Sats, breath sound noting area of decreased ventilation and abnormal breath sound to establish a baseline of patient’s status and to monitor for the effectiveness of the intervention. (Rodgers, 2008). Monitor patient for any signs of airway obstruction like cyanosis, whistling sound from tracheotomy, holding thread and also the colour and consistency of the nature of the sputum. ( Rodgers, 2008). Keep patient in semi-fowler’s position and change position frequently to promote secretions and also for the pressure area care( Brown & Edwards, 2008).Suction the tracheostomy as required to remove secretion by providing hyper-oxygenation and hyperinflation prior and after the suctioning to avoid hypoxia. ( Buglass as cited in Russell, 2005,pg 430).Suction oropharyngeal cavity on completion of tracheal suctioning ( Monahan, Sands, Neighbors, Marek, Green, 2007,pg 618)and provide mouth care after suctioning. Perform chest physiotherapy to ease drainage of mucosal secretion. Reassess respiratory status.

Assess the patient for the symptoms of fear and anxiety and its level to get the knowledge of the extent of anxiety. Before providing any care or intervention gain consent and thoroughly inform the patient about the purpose and the rational for the care to promote comfort and lessen fear. Use calm, reassuring approach with patient (Rodgers,2008) and facilitate with the means to access help readily (Monahan, Sands, Neighbors, Marek, Green, 2007, pg 618). Allow the family to visit and educate patient and family regarding the tracheostomy care.( Rodgers, 2008). Encourage patient to express any fear and concerns. And also provide alternate means of communication for instance pen and paper, picture cards. ( ) Administer analgesics to relief pain and promote sedation thereby reducing anxiety level.(Brown & Edwards, 2008)

Evaluation: physiological signs of anxiety for example tachycardia should be absent. Patient appears relaxed and calm and uses different means of communication to express the feelings. (Rodgers, 2008)

Nursing Diagnosis Three

Risk of infection and spread of existing infection related to bypass of upper airway defence mechanism, altered skin integrity at the stoma site, presence of pneumonia and MRSA as manifested by high temperature, existing pneumonia and MRSA, and tachycardia. ( Brown & Edwards, 2008)

Priorities of care and rational: observe for signs of infection; pain at wound site, purulent discharge, redness, heat and elevated temperature to detect early signs of stoma infection. Perform tracheostomy care and suctioning as required by using sterile technique to reduce occurrence of infection. Change the inner cannula every 4-8 hours as necessary to reduce the growth of microorganism. Keep the stoma area clean and dry and change trachy ties as well to prevent skin break down. Administer antibiotics as prescribed for existing infection. Consult Dietician as necessary for nasogastric feeding. ( Brown & Edwards, 2008)

Evaluation: Assess skin integrity around the stoma site for any signs of infection and inspect for skin breakdown which indicates risk of infection development and need a change in a care plan. Skin will be intact around stoma site. (Potter, 2006 Pg 847)

Monitor vital signs and note any significant changes in other to provide early intervention. Check skin turgor and mucus membrane including hydration status to prevent from dehydration. Promote Intravenous therapy and NG feeding as per order to meet adequate nutritional requirements of the body. Maintain intake and output chart. Carry out actions to reduce fever like giving tepid sponge bath, remove excessive alothing and administer antipyretics as ordered. And also promote rest periods. (Ulrich & Canale, 2005)

Evaluation: Patient’s body temperature will be within normal limit and no signs of dehydration will appear.

In conclusion, Tracheostomy tube provides open passage through the trachea down to the lower part of the respiratory tract. Tracheostomy care is provided to minimise the possibility of obstruction by secretions and keep the airway patent. The tracheostomy patient is more prone to develop infections due to the presence of invasive monitoring lines and equipments. So continued airway assessment and constant observation for complications plays a vital role.